PHOTOS: The 72nd Annual NCFJE Awards Dinner

On Sunday, November 19, the National Committee for the Furtherance of Jewish Education held its 72nd Annual Awards dinner held at the Jewish Heritage Museum in Battery Park, New York City.

Founded by Rabbi Yaakov Yehuda (JJ) Hecht and now chaired by his son, Shea Hecht, NCFJE honored the Kramer family for its decades-long contributions and legacy of service to the Lubavitch in America.

Sheldon Lobel, Esq., founder of Sheldon Lobel PC, was presented a Lifetime Achievement Award; Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly was presented a Justice, Peace and Truth Award; and there was a special presentation to the Emunah children's camp.

Also in attendance were former City Comptroller Bill Thompson, City Councilwoman Gale Brewer, Councilwoman Letitia James, Assemblyman David Weperin, Councilman Peter Koo, City Councilman David Greenfled, Thomas DiNapoli, comptroller of the State of New York, and many more.

NCFJE was founded in 1941 by the Crown Heights-based previous Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Schneersohn to teach Torah to public school students through the Jewish Released Time Program.

Today the organization is also known for crisis intervention services and its work with at-risk youth. In recent years, the organization has turned its focus upon the needy families in its home community of Crown Heights.